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The stick grenade was introduced in 1915 and the design developed throughout World War I. A friction igniter was used; this method was uncommon in other countries, but widely used for German grenades.

Section of the Stielhandgranate Model 24.

A pull cord ran down the hollow handle from the detonator within the explosive head, terminating in a porcelain ball held in place by a detachable base closing cap. Pulling the cord dragged a roughened steel rod through the igniter causing it to flare up and start the five-second fuse burning.

These exposed pull cords had a tendency to accidentally snag and detonate the grenades while being carried so a threaded cap securing the cord and ball in the base of the grenade handle was added.

Stick grenades were stored in cases for transport, and their fuse assemblies inserted prior to going into combat — a reminder was stenciled on each explosive charge ("Vor Gebrauch Sprengkapsel einsetzen" "Before use insert detonator").

With its high-explosive charge encased in a thin sheet steel can, the Model 24 was fundamentally a "concussion grenade" which relied on blast effect, rather than an anti-personnel fragmentation grenade. A serrated fragmentation sleeve ("Splitterring") was adopted in 1942 which could be slid over the head of the grenade. Fragments of the sleeve would be scattered on detonation, making the grenade more effective against personnel.

The stick provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 27 metres (30 yd) to 37 metres (40 yd), whereas the British Mills bomb could only be thrown about 14 metres (15 yd)[2] (however the British War Office report "WO 291/472 Performance and handling of HE grenades" gives an average figure for a standing throw of a Mills bomb as 27 metres (30 yd), when crouched 23 metres (25 yd) and lying 22 metres (24 yd)). The stick design also reduced the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. However, the additional length of the handle meant that fewer could be carried.

The grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions. Although they were not individually very effective against armoured vehicles and fortifications, the grenade could be used in an improvised "bundle" style where additional explosive heads (without their sticks) were wired around the central stick grenade. These were known as Geballte Ladung ("bundled charge" or "concentrated charge").

The Chinese used their handmade method to produce M24 grenades during World War II

World War I German grenade and its Austro-Hungarian ceramic counterpart

The Stielhandgranate went through numerous variants, several versions being deployed in World War I before a settled design emerged in 1917. Into World War II the grenade had a slightly smaller head and the unnecessary belt clip was removed.

Each change was essentially a move towards a lighter device which was easier and less costly to manufacture, and to these ends the Model 24 was eventually superseded by the simpler Model 43 grenade, although the former continued to be used through to the end of the war.

Numerous Ersatz variations were developed towards the end of the war as Germany's resources and production capabilities dwindled. Other than the common high explosive (HE) stick grenade, Germany produced a smokescreen version, which existed in an early and later model and is easily identified by a white band around the handle and (on the later model) a grooved handgrip to permit a user to differentiate it from the regular explosive version in the dark by touch alone. As cold climate could cause the Model 24 to fail to detonate, a special explosive powder was used in those destined for Russia, and these were marked with "K" (Kalt or "cold") on the can. Inert (non-exploding) training versions were also produced.